Bhagavad Gita | Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
The Yoga of the Threefold Division of Faith - Krishna explains how faith manifests differently according to the gunas and the importance of sattvic faith for spiritual progress.
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Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Threefold Faith
Arjuna asks about those who worship with faith but without scriptural authority. Krishna explains that faith is determined by one’s nature and the gunas.
Threefold Faith
- Sattvic faith - worships the gods, pure and focused on truth
- Rajasic faith - worships power and wealth, driven by desire
- Tamasic faith - worships spirits and ghosts, rooted in ignorance
Each person’s faith corresponds to their being. As one’s faith is, so one is.
Threefold Practice
Krishna applies the three gunas to food, sacrifice, austerity, and charity. Sattvic food promotes life and purity; rajasic food causes restlessness; tamasic food is stale and impure. The same division applies to all practices.
Key Verses
Verse 3: Faith is determined by one’s nature, O Arjuna. The person is made of faith. As one’s faith is, so one is.
Verse 20: Charity given to a worthy person without expectation of return is considered sattvic.